trail clearing technique and tools

[ArlyA]

Here is recent posts to BRT's trail FB page.
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Folks, we've not been posting much due to the lack of user financial support. We asked for $60 this summer for that can of paint and did not receive any $$ for it. We can not afford to continue to groom these trails with so little community support in the summer, or winter as we pay for 90%. What do you suggest we do? We have users, they're just not helping much. Sandy wrote for grants last summer and we got zero in return, all that for wasting 40 hours. She works full time.

another post
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Boundary Road Trails​

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Here is why we ended up caring for these trails. About 8 years ago we found them knee deep in overgrowth and fallen trees so we contacted the landowner. Several groups had said they were keeping them up, but obviously they weren't so we took over the clearing of them. This took us about 200 hours that summer and various expenses so we asked other groups for a modest donation and got a "No". A few years later the largest trail system in Houghton put severe limitations on dogs which reduced our usage of them to zero. We contacted the landowner again, who gave us the OK and we tried grooming over the winter just to see if anyone would show up. We bore all costs. Usage went through the roof and the parking lot car spilled onto Boundary Road.. After that we set up a GFM site and QR payment system and Sandy wrote for a grant that went to most foundations in our area and the response was a "thanks sending us that!". She asked for a parking lot update cost, a mowing machine and operational costs. Now we are looking for help to continue anything. We are the only dog friendly location in Houghton, Chassell, Pinesdale and Southrange.

 

[MossRoad]

That's got to be frustrating, and disappointing.

Have you tried to get any media coverage?

 

[ArlyA]

That's got to be frustrating, and disappointing.

Have you tried to get any media coverage?

I've contacted our paper twice about this. No response.

 

[Bearsixty7]

Have you tried posting on Nextdoor, Facebook local pages, local online news website, etc?

Maybe post up that the trails are going to close if no money and/or time is donated.

 

[MossRoad]

I've contacted our paper twice about this. No response.

Daily Mining Gazette?

 

[ArlyA]

Have you tried posting on Nextdoor, Facebook local pages, local online news website, etc?

Maybe post up that the trails are going to close if no money and/or time is donated.

If you look two posts back, its from Facebook.

 

[kenmbz]

Signs on the trees showing the costs you bear and asking for help, and saying when the end date of the free clearing will happen.
Then on the cutoff date, if nothing happens, just stop and do what you want on the trail if anything and make sure the access areas are not cleaned by you.

Pictures of you doing the trail work on the signs, just with pole saws and brush cutters might also help, but don't show vehicles or anything expensive.

I wish you luck, in my old town the bicycle club maintained a lot of the trails and had volunteer days and partnered with IMBA. But that was a large group, this has been only you and the wife so all the overhead to make something like that happen might be out of reach.

Boy scouts are also another group that might help.

I did trail clearing with both, no money involved from anyone though was forthcoming, but nice to work with other volunteers instead of 2 people.

 

[ArlyA]

Signs on the trees showing the costs you bear and asking for help, and saying when the end date of the free clearing will happen.
Then on the cutoff date, if nothing happens, just stop and do what you want on the trail if anything and make sure the access areas are not cleaned by you.

Pictures of you doing the trail work on the signs, just with pole saws and brush cutters might also help, but don't show vehicles or anything expensive.

I wish you luck, in my old town the bicycle club maintained a lot of the trails and had volunteer days and partnered with IMBA. But that was a large group, this has been only you and the wife so all the overhead to make something like that happen might be out of reach.

Boy scouts are also another group that might help.

I did trail clearing with both, no money involved from anyone though was forthcoming, but nice to work with other volunteers instead of 2 people.

Boy scouts, ha! signage on trees is a waste of paper and time. We have a GFM notice right at the trailhead within 6ft of where people enter and you hear "didn't notice that".

Have you tried to gander donations before?

 

[FriendwithTractor]

Have you tried trail days? Well advertised days where people can come work on the trails? I know that's had success in B.C.
Mountain Biker's creed is "No shovel, no ride."

I'm sure you've already thought of the lockbox requesting donations at the trailhead for maintenance. But these days I'm sure that would grow legs and walk off more often than not.

 

[dodge man]

At some point Arly you just have to quit. People will notice then. At this point it’s become a burden to you and your wife.